Man accused in death of boy in bag incompetent for trial

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge has ruled a man accused in the beating death of a 1-year-old Maryland boy found dead inside a backpack in a central Ohio creek incompetent to stand trial.

The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1UYndAO) reports a judge on Thursday ordered Kurt Flood committed to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment aimed at restoring competency within a year. Flood’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on Flood’s behalf.

The 25-year-old Columbus man has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder in Cameron Beckford’s death. The boy’s body was found in Big Walnut Creek in December 2014.

The child’s mother told investigators Flood was trying to beat demons out of the toddler. Dainesha Stevens is to be sentenced in June after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence-tampering.